Chapter 7: ?

It was 10:00, and Malfoy and Harry were wrapping up the potions stuff.

"Now we just need to put the potion in a vial and we're done!" Harry said cheerfully as Malfoy did exactly that.

"Now we have to turn it in," Malfoy said as he grabbed his stuff and the potion. "Pottah grab the essay you're coming with me!"Harry groaned as he grabbed the essay and walked with Malfoy to Snape's office. Harry was getting glared at by most people again but by now he had just learned to ignore it.

"Does everyone always glare at you?" Malfoy asked as he looked at all the faces staring at Harry.

Harry, not noting everyone staring at him again, said in a bored voice "Yeah everyone either glares or points at me so…. I'm used to it by now."They were down in the dungeons now and about to go to Snape's office.

"I hate this place," Harry said quietly as he was outside Snape's door.

"Just go in Scarhead!" Malfoy sneered.

Harry snarled but knocked on the door anyway.

"Come in," Snape drawled.

Harry signed to Malfoy to go in first so he did.

"Malfoy, Potter, here to turn in your homework, I presume?" he said as he examined the boy's faces.

"Yes sir," Malfoy said as Harry was still near the door of the classroom.

"Well one of you will need to try the potion," Snape said, eyeing Harry.

Harry looked into his cold black eyes and said "I'm going to sir, it was agreed ahead of the arrival."

Snape said, "Very well."Malfoy handed Professor Snape the potions stuff. Immediately after that Harry turned and walked out the door before either of them could make fun of him or something along those lines. Harry started walking faster when Malfoy was coming out of the classroom. Malfoy was confused but didn't feel like following him so he just started walking to the Slytherin common room. Harry meanwhile was going to the Gryffindor common room, dreading class tomorrow.

Harry walked through the portrait hole looking dreadful. He had bags under his eyes, and his hair was a mess.

"Harry! Did you finish the assignment with Malfoy?" Hermione anxiously asked because she could see how disheveled he was. "Ron's not here right now he decided he was gonna go to sleep. He said he only got 5 hours of rest the other night!" she examined Harry's face.

"Oh… I see Ron didn't get enough sleep, you know HE NEVER GETS ENOUGH SLEEP, DOES HE!" He yelled knowing that Hermione had been right about keeping things inside. He shouldn't have snapped at her like that.

"Harry, do you want to finish our conversation?" Hermione whispered nervously.

Harry looked at her still filled with anger but at the sight of her looking so nervous he sat down. "Fine," He said harshly.

Hermione sat on the other chair. She looked at him. "Is there anything else about the Dursleys you would like to tell me or clarify?" Hermione looked at him.

He just looked away. "No."Hermione started to say something but Harry interrupted "I shouldn't have told you anything in the first place, it was a stupid decision." He looked at her. "Let's change the subject, Hermione."Hermione knew it was no use so she just decided to ask about the homework with Malfoy "So how was homework with the Ferret? As you called him."Harry thought back to everything that had gone wrong during the homework.

"It was homework."Hermione once again had a look of concern on her face. "Are you ok Harry?"How many times have I had to tell you I'M FINE!?" Tears started welling in Harry's eye. "Please just stop."Hermione went to hug Harry but he pushed her away and walked out the portrait hole. I'm so sick of everyone either pitying me or hating me, he thought as he stormed down the hallway.

Harry turned a corner and ran right into Malfoy.

"Watch it, Potter!" Malfoy growled as Harry put his hand out to help him up.

Malfoy looked at Harry's hand hesitantly but ended up taking it, and Harry helped Malfoy from the ground. Malfoy was getting once again slightly pink, Harry noticed this time and looked confused once again.

"Are you okay Malfoy? You look a little pink."

Malfoy got pinker as he stuttered, "I feel a little ill, yes. What's it to you!""Calm down jeez, sorry for caring," Harry trailed off awkwardly after he said the last word.

hey were staring each other in the eye. Harry turned around and stormed off once again knowing he couldn't handle dealing with Malfoy along with everything else.

He kept going until he was outside the portrait hole again. Harry was not sure what to do now so he sat down to the side of the portrait hole and stared off into the distance. Slowly, he fell asleep.

"Harry mate, you ok?" said a vaguely familiar voice as Harry woke up.

He rubbed his eyes and let them adjust to the light. Harry could see who it was now.

"Hey, Ron," Harry said groggily as he got up.

"What are you doing out here?" Ron asked as a concerned expression flashed on his face.

"I just got tired and sat down. I must have fallen asleep." Harry said as he and Ron entered the portrait hole.

"What time is it?" Harry asked as he sat down on an armchair. "It's 9:00 PM, I was gonna head to bed. I took a nap earlier but then went to the quidditch pitch to train." Ron said as he went up the staircase.

"I'll be up in a minute" Harry replied as he went to the foot of the staircase exhausted.

Ron nodded and went upstairs. Harry heard the bed creak as he tried to silently go up the stairs. He flopped into bed and fell asleep instantly as he was tired and didn't want to be caught unawares the next day.